acerb

Adjective
Synonyms: acerbicastringentacidacridbitterblisteringcausticsulfuroussulphurousvirulentvitriolic

Open English WordNet

Adjective (2)

  1. sour or bitter in tasteSynonyms: acerbicastringentOpposite sweetSimilar sour
  2. harsh or corrosive in tone“an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose”“a barrage of acid comments”“her acrid remarks make her many enemies”“bitter words”“blistering criticism”“caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics”“a sulfurous denunciation”“a vitriolic critique”Synonyms: acerbicacidacridbitterblisteringcausticsulfuroussulphurousvirulentvitriolicOpposite pleasantSimilar unpleasant
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ephemeranoun

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

A·cerb′ (…), adjective

Origin: L. acerbus, fr. acer sharp: cf. F. acerbe. See Acrid.

Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, as unripe fruit; sharp and harsh.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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